diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index e53b38270..faa122c83 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+Noteworthy changes in version 2.5.3 (unreleased)
+------------------------------------------------
+
+
 Noteworthy changes in version 2.5.2 (2024-12-05)
 ------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 68d74b9aa..7744d03d3 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ min_automake_version="1.16.3"
 m4_define([mym4_package],[gnupg])
 m4_define([mym4_major], [2])
 m4_define([mym4_minor], [5])
-m4_define([mym4_micro], [2])
+m4_define([mym4_micro], [3])
 
 # To start a new development series, i.e a new major or minor number
 # you need to mark an arbitrary commit before the first beta release